Hookworm infection: Difference between revisions
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== Risk Stratification and Prognosis== | == Risk Stratification and Prognosis== | ||
Revision as of 20:46, 11 October 2012
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Risk Stratification and Prognosis
The most serious results of hookworm infection are the development of anemia and protein deficiency caused by blood loss. When children are continuously infected by many worms, the loss of iron and protein can retard growth and mental development, sometimes irreversibly. Hookworm infection can also cause tiredness, difficulty breathing, enlargement of the heart, and irregular heartbeat. Sometimes hookworm infection is fatal, especially among infants.
Treatment
In countries where hookworm is common and reinfection is likely, light infections are often not treated.
Pharmacotherapy
In the United States, hookworm infections are generally treated with albendazole. Mebendazole or pyrantel pamoate can also be used.
Primary Prevention
Do not walk barefoot or contact the soil with bare hands in areas where hookworm is common or there is likely to be feces in the soil or sand.
References
- http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/submenus/sub_hookworm.htm
- http://www.dpd.cdc.gov/dpdx/HTML/Hookworm.htm
- http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/diseases/hookworm.htm
- http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/hookworm/default.htm
- http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/hookworm/factsht_hookworm.htm
Acknowledgements
The content on this page was first contributed by: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D.